rcy
of their furious republican conquerors. Dugommier subsequently strongly
recommended Buonaparte to the notice of the convention, remarking,
"that, if neglected, he would assuredly force his own way up." On this
recommendation he was placed on the list for promotion, and confirmed in
a provisional appointment of chef-de-battaillon in the army of Italy.

The capture of Toulon crushed all hope of resistance to the Jacobins in
the south of France. Every danger to the republican government of Paris,
indeed, arising from an ill-converted and ill-directed confederacy, had
been warded off in all quarters. At the commencement of the contest
the allies had the advantage both in numbers and discipline; but this
advantage was no match for that spirit which the revolution had infused
into their opponents. Moreover, their adherence to the old system of
warfare, and the policy of merely keeping up their contingents, soon
exposed them to dispersion or annihilation, as the overthrow of all
pacific employments in France enabled the convention to send out armies
in large masses wherever danger was discovered.

Revolutionized France, therefore, was left free to act and to conquer.
And how fearfully the republicans acted, how cruelly they treated their
vanquished foes, the pages of history unfolds. It has before been stated
that in all the revolted provinces their arms during the year were
finally victorious--wherever they conquered there followed vengeance.
The most fearful scenes wore enacted in the Vendee. The inhabitants of
this department, which is situated in the old province of Poitou, were
terrified at the idea of liberty, which had never come before their
understanding, and they repeated the execrations that priests and nobles
threw out against the revolution and its leaders. From small beginnings
a terrible storm arose: the insurrection which began in Lower Poitou
extended the whole length of the Loire, both north and south of that
river. In the space of one month there were forty thousand men under
arms, and two months later, thrice that number threatened death to
the republicans. In many bloody engagements the republican troops were
defeated by them. During the battle-cry, "Vive Louis XVII! Vive Jesus
Christ!" they rushed upon the soldiers of the republic, and in their
native country appeared invincible. Alarmed at their valour and success,
the convention, upon the proposal of Barrere, decreed the extermination
of the Vendee